Didn't know Marvin has been injured for 2 years. He is now coming off back surgery in the offseason.

[Wurider05]

http://www.kitsapsun...he-nba-lockout/

The NBA lockout is starting to weigh on Marvin Williams.

The seventh-year small forward for the Atlanta Hawks is having some trouble passing the time. He's even taken up tennis.

"I'm awful," said Williams, who was a high school All-American at Bremerton.

Not that passing time is hard work when you have the means of an NBA player.

Saturdays are spent indulging his love for college football. That SEC showdown two weeks ago pitting No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama? He was there.

"It was nuts," he said. "I've never seen anything like it."

He went to the Boise State at Georgia season opener. He's seen Georgia Tech (as they are in Atlanta) and Mississippi State. He even flew home to watch Washington beat California. He doubled up that weekend and saw the Seahawks beat the Cardinals.

So, yeah, he's found ways to fill the hours.

How many more he'll have to fill is up in the air. The lockout has turned ugly; the season is in doubt.

"It's getting crazy," Williams said. "I think guys are on the edge of our seats right now."

Williams, who won an NCAA title in his only year at North Carolina, said he's stayed mainly on the sidelines and is waiting it out. His knowledge of the situation comes from reading what's in the media, he said.

"I guess, ultimately, at the end of the day, I want to play basketball," he said. "It's not just my job; it's what I love to do."

Williams should be several games into the season. He's confident he'll play this season.

"I still think there will be a season," he said Tuesday.

The lockout wasn't a complete loss for Williams, 25. He had back surgery in June and spent his entire summer recovering. He's used the extra time to get back in shape.

Williams had a disc in his back pushing into a nerve. It would make a leg go numb at random times.

Williams' dad, Marvin Williams Sr., said his son has walked bent over for several years. He never told anybody about the pain.

"The doctors said, 'I don't know how he's tolerated it this long,'" Marvin Sr. said.

The last two years, Williams averaged just over 10 points and about five rebounds per game. The two yeas before that, his averages were closer to 14 points and six rebounds.

The recovery required a lot of down time. Williams was allowed to take walks and that was it. His doctor didn't even want him going up and down the stairs in his house.

"I had never been inactive for that period of time," Williams said.

Since the lockout precluded him access to the Hawks' medical staff or equipment, he went back to Chapel Hill, N.C., to rehab at North Carolina.

He was cleared to play in early September. It was rough getting back in shape as he played several times a day.

"I couldn't breathe," he said.

Now that he's healthy, and not walking bent over, people think he's grown, Marvin Sr. said.

The extra time has allowed him to get healthy and back in shape. Williams said he's ready to go once the lockout is lifted. He has two years remaining on his contract for just under $16 million. He has an option for a third at $7.5 million.

"It's been a blessing," Wiliams said, noting that some players are getting time with family they don't normally get.

"I think he's more eager to get back on the court and show everybody he's the old Marvin," Marvin Sr., said.

Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.../#ixzz1eoaDD0mC

I don't know if he can ever be the Marvin from 2 years ago again. The back is a tricky thing to have surgery on. I hope he comes back and play like he did 2 years ago before the injury but I don't know. he is young and this injury does explain what the hell happened. If he is healthy then no excuses this year.

[lethalweapon3]

Welcome back 'Squawkers!

http://www.hawksquawk.net/community/index.php/topic/362182-battlestar-sciatica-is-the-back-problem-um-straightened-out/

~lw3

[DJlaysitup]

Sounds like Sciatica to me...I've had it for a few years. From what I've read about it - it varies from case to case. Often there is a dull lower back pain and a numbness. For me it's a dull pain and a numbness on the outside of my right leg (just in the skin) and when it worsens some tingling and pain there too.

I have pretty much defeated it (for now) by using an inversion machine (I call it my upside down reverse stretching machine - it's great )....but I'm just a regular guy...I can imagine that a pro athlete puts MANY times more pressure on their lower back than I do...so surgery was likely the best approach for Marvin.

Ooops - sorry LW3 - I didn't follow your link until after I posted - obviously it is sciatica.

Edited November 26, 2011 by DJlaysitup

[tonegully]

Wow, my co-worker had the same thing in early September/late August time frame. He could barely stand when that nerve acted up. His leg would go numb. One time it even made him fall down right in front of me. He had surgery and is doing way better than he was. Wow i hope now Marvin can finally improve on what he did 2 years ago.